Then Paul noticed that the prow of their canoe was not turned toward the island, but was bearing steadily toward the north end of the lake, leaving the island well to the left.

He glanced at Jim Hart, and the long man laughed low, but with deep satisfaction.
"Don't you see, Paul," he said, "that we kain't go to the islan' an' show to them that we've been livin' thar?
That might wipe out all the spell uv the place.

We got to let 'em think we're 'fraid uv it, too, an' that we dassent land thar.

We'll paddle up to the head uv the lake, come down on the other side, an' then, when it's atween us an' them, we'll come across to our islan'." They were still abreast of the island, and yet midway between it and the mainland.

Paul saw the Indians running along the shore, and now and then taking a shot at the canoe.